I'm a SD resident entering the game and buying two SFH's in the KC, MO suburbs and am looking for recommendations on local (San Diego) CPAs that specialize in REI, and specifically have a knowledgeset for investors with holdings outside California.In addition, as someone starting out with their first holdings, any recommendations on things to specifically knock out right off the bat with my new CPA would be much appreciated!

This translates into $204K over the life, in addition to the small down payment.  

Lastly, with foreclosure there may be additional debts on the property.

While I can't speak for Cleveland, here in Kansas City the $15,000 neighborhoods just have vacant lots with a few houses here and there, there are no jobs in the area, no amenities in the area, the schools are horrible  . . . while that $15,000 could be spent on a down payment a few miles a way in South Kansas City, Raytown, Independence on a $50,000 to $80,000 house and you may not get the same returns on paper as the $`15,000 house, but you have less back end expenses, tenants who have jobs and the desire to feed their kids good food and send their kids to better schools and more occupied houses . . .less vacant lots, so less breakins and theft.Move up on that price range to  an $80,000 to $120,000 neighborhood and you can do even better.  

In the last 13 months I received my license, bought 16 rent houses, flipped two houses with 500+ sq ft additions, and scraped three 1000 sq ft houses and build new 2600 sq ft homes.

But the trouble is the metro area has changed a lot since I was a kid and maybe there are areas that I shouldn't consider/need to consider or other facts that I need to know - knowledge that I can't glean from those sites.

Ss is a great long term  business to add to your portfolio in addition to single family.

We have an additional million dollars for about $200 per year and that covers our flip houses, etc (protection against being sued). 

In addition to SFR's, they have an inventory of condos right now that seem interesting.

One seller a brokerage wasn't even going to take their 25 unit apartment listing for 900,000 but the seller owns a third of properties in that town and is consolidating for retirement and estate planning to leave to his kids.